Apparatus for affixing decorations to homes

ABSTRACT

An application for a decoration clip includes a portion for inserting between a facial board of a roof and a drip guard and a portion for interfacing with an outer surface of the drip guard. The substantially flat insertion surface is connected to the substantially flat outlay surface, thereby forming an elongated U-shape when viewed from a side. A device for holding the decoration is situated on an outer surface of the portion for interfacing with an outer surface of the drip guard.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of decoration and more particularlyto a device for affixing decorations to the eaves of homes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that many enjoy holiday decorations temporarily mountedto the outsides of their homes. There are many ways known to accomplishsuch. For example, nails, screws or hooks can be installed for hangingsuch decorations at desired locations. Unfortunately, the nails, screwsor hooks leave holes when removed or, if left in, often corrode or rust,often staining the surface of the home. Other forms of hooks offerstick-on clips, but can peel off paint when removed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,275,818 to Campbell describes a display means forattaching holiday lights around a window. The described means includesan adjustable frame that fits within a window frame and accepts clipsthat hold the wires of the lighting system. This patent does notdisclose a clip that attaches to the drip guard or flashing of a roofingsystem for holding decorations such as holiday lights.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,926 to Reynolds describes a hanger clamp that holdsa light (such as a holiday ornament) to an exposed beam. The hanger hasa hole through which a lamp is inserted. The disclosed device does notattach to the drip guard and, instead of holding strands of a holidaydecoration, holds light bulbs, making it less useful for decorationssuch as garland and icicle lights.

None of the prior inventions propose a clip that attaches to the dripguard found on many roofing systems.

What is needed is a clip that will removably attach to a drip guard andprovide a hook for holding decorations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a decoration clip is disclosed including asubstantially flat insertion sheet for inserting between a facial boardof a roof and a drip guard; and a substantially flat outlay sheet forinterfacing with an outer surface of the drip guard. The substantiallyflat insertion surface is connected to the substantially flat outlaysurface, thereby forming an elongated U-shape when viewed from a side ofthe decoration clip. A hook is placed an outer surface of thesubstantially flat outlay sheet for holding the decoration.

In another embodiment, a decoration clip is disclosed including aportion for inserting between a facial board of a roof and a drip guard;and a portion for interfacing with an outer surface of the drip guard.The substantially flat insertion surface is connected to thesubstantially flat outlay surface, thereby forming an elongated U-shapewhen viewed from a side. A device for holding the decoration is situatedon an outer surface of the portion for interfacing with an outer surfaceof the drip guard.

In another embodiment, a U-shaped clip is disclosed including asubstantially flat insertion side for inserting between a facial boardof a roof and a drip guard, a substantially flat outer side forinterfacing with an outer surface of the drip guard and a curved endinterfacing the substantially flat insertion side to the substantiallyflat outer side. A hook is on an outer surface of the substantially flatouter side for holding a decoration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill inthe art by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a clip of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side plan view of a clip of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side plan view of a clip of the present inventioninstalled on a drip guard.

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevation view of a home showing multiple clips ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description,the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a clip of the presentinvention will be described. The clip 10 is formed or cut into asubstantially elongated U-shape having a relatively flat insertion sheet14 for fitting between a rain guard (or flashing) and the facial boardof a roofing system. The insertion sheet is connected to an outlay sheet12 by a connecting sheet 15, thereby forming the substantially elongatedU-shape. It is preferred that the insertion sheet 14 be heldsubstantially close to the outlay sheet 12 by spring force of thematerial used, although this is not required. In embodiments withoutsuch spring force, the insertion sheet 14 is held in place by frictionof the tight fit between the facial board surface and the drip guard (orflashing). A clip 16 is cut and bent, molded or affixed to the outersurface of the outlay sheet 12. Although shown in one position upon theoutlay sheet 12, in alternate embodiments, the clip is fabricated inother locations on the outlay sheet 12. In some embodiments, a lip 13 isformed on the top surface of the outlay sheet 12 for assisting withinsertion of the clip 10, similar to the insertion of a pen into apocket protector. Likewise, in some embodiments, a lip 17 is formed inthe upper edge of the clip 16 to assist with the insertion of thedecoration (light strand, garland, etc).

In one embodiment, the clip 10 is made from sheet metal such as aluminumand bent into the substantially elongated U-shape. In this embodiment,it is preferred that the hook 16 is formed by cutting a substantiallyrectangular section from the outlay sheet 12 and bending such into theshape of the hook 16. Alternately, the hook 16 is fabricated separatelyand affixed to the outlay sheet by means known in the industry such aswelding or with adhesives. In another embodiment, the clip 10 is molded,comprising a stiff plastic. In this embodiment, it is preferred that thehook 16 is molded as an integral part of the clip 10. Alternately, thehook 16 is molded separately and affixed to the outlay sheet by meansknown in the industry such as welding or with adhesives.

Referring to FIG. 2, a side plan view of a clip of the present inventionwill be described. As previously described, the clip 10 is formed or cutinto a substantially elongated U-shape having a relatively flatinsertion sheet 14 for fitting between a rain guard (or flashing) andthe facial board of a roofing system. The insertion sheet is connectedto an outlay sheet 12 by a connecting sheet 15, thereby forming thesubstantially elongated U-shape. It is preferred that the insertionsheet 14 be held to the outlay sheet 12 by spring force of the materialused, although this is not required. In embodiments without such springforce, the insertion sheet 14 is held in place by friction of the tightfit between the facial board surface and the drip guard (or flashing). Aclip 16 is cut and bent, molded or affixed to the outer surface of theoutlay sheet 12. Although shown in one position upon the outlay sheet12, in alternate embodiments, the clip is fabricated in other locationson the outlay sheet 12. In some embodiments, a lip 13 is formed on thetop surface of the outlay sheet 12 for assisting with insertion of theclip 10, similar to the insertion of a pen into a pocket protector.Likewise, in some embodiments, a lip 17 is formed in the upper edge ofthe clip 16 to assist with the insertion of the decoration (lightstrand, garland, etc).

Referring to FIG. 3, a side plan view of a clip of the present inventioninstalled on a drip guard will be described. The relatively flatinsertion sheet 14 of the clip 10 is fitted between a rain guard (orflashing) 30 and the facial board of a roofing system 32. The insertionsheet 14 is connected to an outlay sheet 12 by a connecting sheet 15,thereby forming the substantially elongated U-shape. In one embodiment,the clip is held in place by spring force between the insertion sheet 14and the outlay sheet 12, although this is not required. In alternateembodiments without such spring force, the insertion sheet 14 of theclip 10 is held in place by friction of the tight fit between the facialboard surface and the drip guard (or flashing). A decoration string orwire 20 is shown in the clip 16. For completeness, roofing material(shingles, etc.) 34 are nailed into the roof 32 with nails 36 and theside surface of the home 38 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 4, an elevation view of a home showing multiple clipsof the present invention will be described. In this example, thedecoration is a string of lights 20 with multiple light bulbs 22. Thewire portion of the string of lights 20 is supported by multiple clips10.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above suchthat they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially thesame way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method of the present invention andmany of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoingdescription. It is also believed that it will be apparent that variouschanges may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of thecomponents thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. Theform herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatoryembodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims toencompass and include such changes.

1. A decoration clip for removable attachment to a drip guard of aroofing system, the decoration clip comprising: a flat insertion sheet,the flat insertion sheet adapted to be inserted between a facial boardof a roof and the drip guard; a substantially flat outlay sheet, thesubstantially flat outlay sheet adapted to interface with an outersurface of the drip guard; an arched connecting sheet, connecting theflat insertion surface to the substantially flat outlay surface, therebyforming an elongated U-shape when viewed from a side of the decorationclip; and a decoration strand holding surface on an outer surface of thesubstantially flat outlay sheet, the decoration strand holding surfaceforming a U-shaped clip and the decoration strand holding surfaceadapted to accept and hold one or more strands of decorations; whereasthe decoration clip holds and supports the one or more strands ofdecorations to the drip guard.
 2. The decoration clip of claim 1,further comprising a lip on the decoration strand holding surface, thelip situated on an edge of the decoration strand holding surface distalfrom where the decoration strand holding surface meets the outer surfaceof the substantially flat outlay sheet.
 3. The decoration clip of claim1, further comprising a clip lip on the outlay sheet, the clip lipsituated on an edge of the outlay sheet distal from where the outlaysheet meets the arched connecting sheet, the clip lip adapted to providean angled surface, the angled surface forcing the flat insertion sheetapart from the substantially flat outlay sheet when pushed against thedrip guard.
 4. The decoration clip of claim 1, wherein the flatinsertion sheet, the substantially flat outlay sheet and the archedconnecting sheet are one contiguous sheet of material.
 5. The decorationclip of claim 1, wherein the flat insertion sheet, the substantiallyflat outlay sheet, the decoration strand holding surface and the archedconnecting sheet are one contiguous sheet of material.
 6. The decorationclip of claim 1, wherein the one or more strands of decorations is astring of holiday lights and the decoration holding surface is adaptedto accept and hold a wire section of the string of holiday lights. 7.The decoration clip of claim 1, wherein the flat insertion sheet and thesubstantially flat outlay sheet are urged together by spring force ofthe arched connecting sheet.
 8. A decoration clip comprising: a meansfor inserting between a facial board of a roof and a drip guard whereinthe means for inserting is flat and planar; a means for interfacing withan outer surface of the drip guard; a means for connecting the means forinserting to the means for interfacing, thereby forming an elongatedU-shape when viewed from a side of the decoration clip; and a means forholding at least one strand of decorations, the means for holdingsituated on an outer surface of the means for interfacing with an outersurface of the drip guard and the means for holding forming a U-shapeadapted to hold and support the at least one strand of decorations;whereby the decoration clip is removably attachable to the drip guard.9. The decoration clip of claim 8, further comprising a hook lip on themeans for holding the at least one strand of decorations, the hook lipsituated on an edge of the means for holding the at least one strand ofdecorations distal from where the means for holding the at least onestrand of decorations meets the outer surface of the means forinterfacing with the outer surface of the drip guard.
 10. The decorationclip of claim 8, further comprising a clip lip on the means forinterfacing with the outer surface of the drip guard, the clip lipsituated on an edge of the means for interfacing with the outer surfaceof the drip guard distal from where the means for interfacing with anouter surface of the drip guard meets the means for connecting, the cliplip adapted to provide an angled surface, the angled surface forcing themeans for inserting apart from the means for interfacing when pushedagainst the drip guard.
 11. The decoration clip of claim 8, wherein themeans for inserting between the facial board of the roof and the dripguard, means for interfacing with the outer surface of the drip guardand the means for connecting are one contiguous sheet of material. 12.The decoration clip of claim 8, wherein the at least one strand ofdecorations is a string of holiday lights and the means for holding isadapted to hold and support a wire section of the string of holidaylights.
 13. The decoration clip of claim 8, wherein the means forinserting between the facial board of the roof and the drip guard andthe means for interfacing with the outer surface of the drip guard areurged together by spring force of the means for connecting.
 14. Adecoration clip comprising: a U-shaped clip portion having a flatinsertion side adapted to be inserted between a facial board of a roofand a drip guard, a substantially flat outlay side adapted to interfacewith an outer surface of the drip guard and a curved end interfacing theflat insertion side to the substantially flat outlay side; and adecoration strand holding surface on an outer surface of thesubstantially flat outlay side for holding the decoration, thedecoration strand holding surface forms a U-shaped clip and thedecoration strand holding surface is adapted to accept and hold one ormore strands of decorations; whereas the decoration strand holdingsurface is adapted to hold and support the one or more strands ofdecorations to the drip guard, whereas the decoration clip is removablyattachable to the drip guard.
 15. The decoration clip of claim 14,further comprising a hook lip on the hook, the hook lip situated on anedge of the decoration strand holding surface distal from where thedecoration strand holding surface meets the outer surface of thesubstantially flat outlay side.
 16. The decoration clip of claim 14,further comprising a clip lip on the substantially flat outlay side, theclip lip situated on an edge of the substantially flat outlay sidedistal from where the substantially flat outlay side interfaces with thecurved end.
 17. The decoration clip of claim 14, wherein the one or morestrands of decorations is a string of holiday lights and the decorationholding surface is adapted to accept and hold a wire section of thestring of holiday lights.
 18. The decoration clip of claim 14, whereinthe flat insertion side and the substantially flat outlay side are urgedtogether by spring force of the curved end.